Page 62 of Jameson’s Salvation

“But you didn’t have your phone.”

“I’m still in the dark ages and I use an iPod. I’m too lazy to figure out how to transfer my music over. Between the earbuds and the big helmet I wear so I won’t get stung, I didn’t hear a thing.”

“It’s not your fault. You shouldn’t have to worry about some asshole coming up behind you when you’re working in your yard.”

But even as Jameson said it he wondered what would’ve happened if she had heard. Would she have been able to run away or would she have been hurt worse? Knowing Kennedy, she would’ve stood her ground. She would’ve gone on the attack, and a man armed with a bat or a board could’ve done some serious damage.

The thought of her being beaten worse than she was made Jameson murderous. As it was he was fighting to keep his control. He wanted nothing more than to be hunting down the man who’d hurt her, but he knew she needed him more and his vengeance would have to wait.

“But—”

“No buts, Kennedy,” he said firmly. “It’s not your fault.”

She changed the topic to her mom and Jameson told her he’d called and checked in with Lola. She and Janice were more than happy to have a man in the house to cook for. Holden had also called and confirmed both women were force-feeding him and if he had to stay more than one night Nixon was paying for a gym membership.

“That sounds like my mom. She believes a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. She always loved to cook and bake. But now, she has a hard time standing at the stove so she just bosses Miss Janice.” Kennedy smiled. “She has physical therapy tomorrow. I’ll have to go over and get her.”

“Holden has it under control. He’s going to take her.”

“That’s too much.”

“No, it’s not. Besides, he said he wants to watch what exercises the therapist has her doing.”

“Why would he want to watch that?” Kennedy scrunched her nose. “Therapy is two hours.”

“Holden was injured in training. He went to PT for three months and wasn’t seeing any improvement. So he decided it was time for him to learn what he could and take over his recovery. He was obsessive about it and took online kinesiology and physiology classes. He knows a thing or two about the mechanics of movement.”

“Really?” She looked shocked.

“What? Did you think we were all just dumb sailors?” He smiled.

“No, of course not.”

Jameson heard boots stomping up the stairs. He stood, his hand automatically going to his hip, his hand hovering over his sidearm. Chasin came into view and Jameson relaxed.

“Jesus, you big gorilla.” Chasin chuckled. “I would’ve announced my approach if I would’ve known you were gonna draw on me.”

“I didn’t even unholster my weapon, you big baby,” Jameson returned.

“It takes you under a second from holster to trigger pull. I was as good as dead.”

“Do you ever not exaggerate?”

“Not when I’m trying to get sympathy from a beautiful woman.” Chasin’s eyes landed on the bed and all the humor left his face. “How ya feelin’, Kennedy?”

“I’ve been better.”

“How are the headaches?”

If anyone could empathize with Kennedy it was Chasin. He had what they called a soft head. It seemed like the smallest of hits would give Chasin a concussion.

“I haven’t had one today. But if I move too quickly it feels like an ice pick is being driven into my forehead.”

“That sounds like an accurate description,” he told her. “It will take a few more days for those to go away.”

“Everything go okay in Ohio?” Jameson asked.

“Yeah, found the guy getting a blowjob behind a bar. Worst part was having to wait until it was over, because I did not want to grapple with the man with his dick flopping around. And it took forever, either the woman gave shit head, or he has some serious stamina because it took her the better part of thirty minutes. I was thinking of offering the poor woman an ice pack for her jaw after she’d worked so hard. As soon as he was tucked in and zipped up, I took him into custody. He actually thanked me for letting him get one more BJ before he went down.” Chasin shook his head and smiled. “Dropped him off in Baltimore and came home with a check. All in all, I’d say it was easy money, except for the watching the blowjob part.”